Greater Mankato Training Camp (GMTC) this season will charge fans over the age of 5 attending Vikings training camp sessions $5 Sunday-Friday and $10 on Saturday, according to Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Minnesota State Univ.-Mankato will also charge $2 for parking. GMTC President Paul Wilke said, “Last year we charged for camp programs and interactive games, and this year both will be free (once people pay the admission). Now we only have to staff one point of entrance, and that’s the main gate.” Vikings VP/Sales & Marketing Steve LaCroix said, “We’re disappointed that an admission charge is happening on [a] daily basis. We understand the challenges the Mankato group is under financially. In a perfect scenario there would not be an admission [charge] to the fans.” But Wilke said of charging admission, “We’ve had nothing but support from the Vikings to do that. I know they had an ownership change, and maybe there are some issues there. But this is the first time I’ve heard of them having any issues with us charging.” GMTC is in the second of a four-year deal to host the camp. Wilke said that GMTC “did not make money last year” (STAR TRIBUNE, 7/16). LaCroix, on GMTC: “It’s their burden to meet the financial obligations they committed to” (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 7/16).
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| Mankato Tackling Funding Shortfall By Charging Admission To Vikings Training Camp |
REFLECTION: In St. Paul, Bob Sansevere noted the Vikings will not receive any money from the admission fees. LaCroix said the decision to charge “was all done before” Vikings Owner Zygi Wilf took over the team, but Sansevere wrote the decision “reflects on him. And it reflects poorly. Very poorly” (
ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 7/17).
